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Unit outline_

RLST2640: Contemporary Religious Trends

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Contemporary Australia manifests low levels of institutional religion, a multi-cultural and multi-faith population, and a vocal atheist/ secularist lobby. Students explore religion in the media and law, the Constitution, and Census data on religion. Issues examined include atheism and secularity, Aboriginal religion, values, sport and ANZAC as religious phenomena.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Studies in Religion
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
12 credit points at 1000 level in Studies in Religion
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
RLST2627 or RLST3603
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Christopher Humphrey Hartney, christopher.hartney@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Small continuous assessment Media Journal
4 x Discussion Board posts (250 words each)
20% Multiple weeks 1000 words total
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Participation Tutorial Participation
Tutorial Participation
10% Ongoing n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO5
Presentation 'Site Visit' Presentation
5 Minute Presentation in Week 10 then submitted report Week 11
10% Week 10 5 minute presentation then 500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO4 LO5
Small continuous assessment 'Site Visit' Report
Short Response
10% Week 11
Due date: 18 Oct 2024 at 23:59
500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Assignment Research Essay
Essay
50% Week 13
Due date: 01 Nov 2024 at 23:59
2500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Assessment summary

  • Tutorial Participation – You will be expected to demonstrate your participation in Zoom tutorials through active listening, engagement with activities, coming prepared, and exhibiting knowledge of the readings and lecture content. Learning outcomes assessed: 4, 5.
  • Media Journal – Throughout the semester you need to contribue 4 x 250 word Discussion Board posts (2 x original, 2 x responses to other posts) about recent media reports (newspapers, websites, television news) on contemporary religion and other material relevant to the unit content. Learning outcomes assessed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
  • ‘Site Visit’ Scoping Task – Write a short report on a site that would make a useful fieldwork location for a study of contempory religious trends in Australia. Learning outcomes assessed: 1, 2.
  • Research Essay – This will be your major assessment for this unit. Choose an essay question and respond with an essay that shows deep research, analysis of key concepts, and independent thinking. Learning outcomes assessed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
  • ‘Site Visit’ Presentation – In a short Zoom presentation, utilising feedback from your Site Visit Scoping Task, explain the significance of your site to the class, highlighting the benefits and challenges of this location for an academic study of contemporary religious trends. Learning outcomes assessed: 2, 4, 5.

More details on assessments can be found on Canvas.

 

Assessment criteria

Grade Guide

Code

Result

Mark range

Description

HD

High Distinction

85-100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

 

D

Distinction

75-84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

 

C

Credit

65-74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

 

P

Pass

50-64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

 

F

Fail

0-49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

 

 

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction - Contemporary Religious Trends Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Introduction - Religions in Post/Modernity Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 02 Prosperity Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Wealth, Capitalism, and the Prosperity Gospel Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 03 Health and Self Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Religion and the Well Body Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 04 Sexuality Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Site Visit Scoping Discussions Workshop (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 05 The Environment Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Nature and First Nations People Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 06 Politics Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Democracy and the State Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 07 "Cults" Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Extremism and Fringe Movements Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 08 Invented Religions and Reenchantment Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Assessing Max Weber's Legacy Tutorial (1 hr) LO3
Week 09 Persecution Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Oppression and Minorities Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 10 Short 5 Minute Reports on Site Visit Presentation (2 hr) LO3 LO4
Global Citizens Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 11 Secularism Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
The Enlightenment Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 12 Gender and Lived Non-Religion Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
TBA Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 13 Women's Meaning-making in Non-religion and Conclusions Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Feminism, Non-religion, and Conclusions Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

See eReserve on Canvas for prescribed tutorial readings

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Students will be able to critically assess the role of religion in Australian culture, past and present, and understand the political meanings of particular constructions (media, legal, political) of religion;
  • LO2. Students will successfully identify the ‘religious’ elements of secular Australian observances such as Anzac Day, sporting fandom, and cultural institutions;
  • LO3. Students will develop research questions and engage a range of sources (academic publications, government reports, personal communications, media and popular discourses) to prepare sophisticated oral and written work on current issues;
  • LO4. Students will encounter Australians of diverse ethnic, social, cultural and religious backgrounds in egalitarian and ethical ways; and
  • LO5. Students will take the body of knowledge they have acquired and relate it to their own life-contexts, contributing to life-long learning.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered'

Disclaimer

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